E-drug: Rich countries block life-saving drug deal for poor countries
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US and other rich countries block life-saving drug deal for poor
countries WTO agreement on health safeguards in global patent
rules will be litmus test of rich world's response to HIV/AIDS and
the health crisis in the developing world.
The United States government, supported by Japan, Switzerland
and Canada, are obstructing attempts to strengthen health
safeguards in the WTO agreement on patents, putting at risk the
lives of millions of people living in poverty. This defence of narrow
corporate interests is creating intense frustration among developing
countries and threatens to cast the WTO further into disrepute,
according to a new report, "Priced Out of Reach", released today
by Oxfam, the campaigning aid agency.
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/policy/papers/priced/priced.html
Developing countries are asking for the forthcoming WTO summit in
Doha (November 9-13) to clarify the rules known as the TRIPS
agreement so they can ensure access to affordable medicines. But
even this modest proposal is running aground as a result of US
policy. The draft statement on TRIPS, issued by the WTO on 27th
September is so watered down that developing countries are
unlikely to find it acceptable.
"We had hoped that the issue of access to the patented
anti-anthrax drug, Cipro, would make rich country governments
more sensitive to the needs in developing countries", said Justin
Forsyth, Oxfam Policy Director. "But the latest reports from the
WTO in Geneva indicate that the US has not budged an inch."
The European Commission, which shares some of the concerns of
developing countries, has been attempting to broker a consensus
among the WTO member states. However, Commission trade
officials now publicly voice their impatience with "US
intransigence". Oxfam also reports that the UK and Germany, both
home to major pharmaceutical companies, are pushing the EU
towards the US position. "Industry has been lobbying on an
unprecedented scale to stop any threats to the sanctity of their
patents", said David Earnshaw, Oxfam International's representative
in Brussels.
Oxfam's report also reveals how the United States, with the
acquiescence of other rich countries, puts intense pressure on poor
countries to introduce patent laws that are more favourable to
industry than the TRIPS agreement, and which do not even contain
the weak safeguards that TRIPS allows.
Oxfam stresses the simple, shocking fact that the TRIPS
twenty-year patent term puts up the price of medicines in countries
where 37,000 people die each day from infectious diseases.
Ends
For further information and interviews, contact Nerys Parry of the
Oxfam Media Unit on 01865 312254.
WTO patent rules are pushing the price of essential medicines out
of the reach of poor people. Find out more and sign our on-line
petition calling for cheaper medicines on
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/e-campaigns/unclesam/uspetition.html?lin
k=emf
Oxfam works with others to find lasting solutions to poverty and
suffering. Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International, a
company limited by guarantee and registered in England No.
612172. Registered office: 274 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7DZ.
Registered charity No. 202918.
Visit the web site at http://www.oxfam.org.uk
Dr. Mohga Kamal Smith
Health Policy Advisor
Oxfam GB
274 Banbury Rd
Oxford OX2 7DZ
Tel + 44 (0) 1865 312290
Fax +44 (0) 1865 312245
E-mail: msmith@Oxfam.org.uk
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